Packing Container

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, there is provided a packing container in which an object is packed. The container includes: side surface portions disposed to surround the object; lower surface portions on which the object is placed; and support portions provided on or near shoulder portions to support the packing container, wherein the shoulder portions are defined by portions where the side surface portions and the lower surface portions intersect with each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2011-033902, filed on Feb. 18, 2011, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments described herein relate to a packing container

2. Description of Related Art

The size of TV display screens has been increased in recent years.Further, the thickness of the display screens has been reduced.

Furthermore, since TVs have become widespread, TV prices are beinglowered. For this reason, there is a demand for the reduction ofso-called physical distribution costs relating to TV transportation orstorage or the like.

Moreover, in order to reduce the physical distribution costs, there is ademand for the reduction of the thickness of a packing container inwhich, for example, a TV is packed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various features of theinvention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Thedrawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrateembodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of theinvention:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an example of an electronic devicethat is contained in a packing container according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of a general packing containerin which an electronic device is contained;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the packing containeraccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the packing container accordingto the embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the packing containeraccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a part of the structure of the packingcontainer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where a part of the packing containershown in FIG. 6 is assembled;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing an example of a packing material thatforms a part of the packing container according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a packing container that isassembled from the packing material shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing a state where a plurality of thepacking containers is arranged together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided a packing container in which an object is packed. The containerincludes: side surface portions disposed to surround the object; lowersurface portions on which the object is placed; and support portionsprovided on or near shoulder portions to support the packing container,wherein the shoulder portions are defined by portions where the sidesurface portions and the lower surface portions intersect with eachother.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be now described withreference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an example of an electronic devicethat is contained in a packing container according to an embodiment.

For example, the description will be made using a TV as an example of anelectronic device that is contained in a packing container.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an electronic device (TV), and referencenumeral 8 denotes a liquid crystal display (LCD) that is provided in theelectronic device (TV).

FIG. 1A is a view of the electronic device (TV) 1 when seen from thefront. For example, a user controls the operation of the electronicdevice (TV) 1 using a remote control 21.

Regarding the electronic device (TV) 1, the orientation of the thinliquid crystal display (LCD) is predetermined in the vertical andhorizontal directions, and the liquid crystal display (LCD) is disposedupright in use, as shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the electronic device (TV) 1. As shownin FIG. 1B, it can be seen that the electronic device (TV) 1 is madethin.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of a general packing containerin which an electronic device is contained.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a general packing container.

The packing container is formed of packing materials, and has asubstantially cubic shape as shown in FIG. 2.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 is packed in the packing container 10while standing upright, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) 8 is packed in a state similar to when the liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) 8 is typically used.

In the packing container 10, the electronic device (TV) 1 is placed on alower surface portion 16 and side surface portions 12, 13, 14, and 15are provided around the electronic device (TV) 1.

Further, upper surface portions 11 a and 11 b are provided in the formof so-called “double doors”, and serve as lids of the packing container10. In general, a tape is attached and fixed to the “double-door” typelids (the upper surface portions 11 a and 11 b).

FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the packing containeraccording to the embodiment.

Reference numeral 30 denotes the packing container according to thisembodiment.

As described above, this packing container 30 is formed of packingmaterials.

Even in this embodiment, the packing container 30 has a substantiallycubic shape as shown in FIG. 3.

Further, as described above, the liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 ispacked in the packing container while standing in a predeterminedvertical direction. Thus, the liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 is packedin a state similar to when the liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 istypically used.

It is advantageous that the electronic device (TV) 1 be provided forphysical distribution in this state.

In the packing container 30, as described above, the electronic device(TV) 1 is placed on lower surface portions (36 a and 36 b) and sidesurface portions 32, 33, 34, and 55 are provided around the electronicdevice (TV) 1.

Further, in this embodiment, the packing container 30 includes flaps 37a and 37 b and upper surface portions 31 a and 31 b as shown in FIG. 3.

Furthermore, when the lids of the packing container 30 are to be closed,the flaps 37 a and 37 b are closed first. Subsequently, after the uppersurface portion 31 a is closed, the upper surface portion 31 b is closedso as to be superimposed on the upper surface portion 31 a.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the packing container accordingto the embodiment.

Reference numeral 42 b denotes a shoulder-shaped portion formed at aportion where the upper surface portion 31 b and the side surfaceportion 32 intersect with each other, that is, an upper shoulderportion. Reference numeral 41 b denotes an upper support portion that isprovided at the upper shoulder portion 42 b or near the upper shoulderportion 42 b.

Reference numeral 42 a denotes a shoulder-shaped portion formed at aportion where the upper surface portion 31 a (to be described below) andthe side surface portion 34 (to be described below) intersect with eachother as described above, that is, an upper shoulder portion. Referencenumeral 41 a denotes an upper support portion that is provided at theupper shoulder portion 42 a or near the upper shoulder portion 42 a.

Although described below, the upper support portions 41 a and 41 b areformed so that the upper support portion 41 b is low and the uppersupport portion 41 a is high, that is, the size of the upper supportportion 41 b is different from that of the upper support portion 41 awhen the height of the upper support portion 41 b is compared with thatof the upper support portion 41 a.

Reference numeral 44 b denotes a shoulder-shaped portion formed at aportion where the lower surface portion 36 b and the side surfaceportion 32 intersect with each other, that is, a lower shoulder portion.Reference numeral 43 b denotes a lower support portion that is providedat the lower shoulder portion 44 b or near the lower shoulder portion 44b.

Reference numeral 44 a denotes a shoulder-shaped portion formed at aportion where the lower surface portion 36 a and the side surfaceportion 34 (to be described below) intersect with each other, that is, alower shoulder portion. Reference numeral 43 a denotes a lower supportportion that is provided at the lower shoulder portion 44 a or near thelower shoulder portion 44 a.

The lower support portions 43 a and 43 b are formed so that the lowersupport portion 43 b is low and the lower support portion 43 a is high,that is, the size of the lower support portion 43 b is different fromthat of the lower support portion 43 a when the height of the lowersupport portion 43 b is compared with that of the lower support portion43 a.

Further, in this embodiment, the entire packing container 30, or atleast a part thereof, is formed of, for example, packing materials.

The packing materials are used to pack cargo for physical distribution,and are formed of, for example, a corrugated cardboard sheet.

A corrugated cardboard is a plate-like paper product that is obtained byforming a paperboard strong in a multilayer structure and by working thepaperboard so that the paperboard can be used for a packing material orthe like, and the corrugated cardboard sheet is a material of thecorrugated cardboard.

A corrugated cardboard generally has a structure where a paper sheet(core) worked in a wavy shape is interposed between front and back papersheets and attached to the front and back paper sheets so as to havestrength. In addition, there are also a cardboard that is worked in amultilayer structure and a single-sided corrugated cardboard of which awavy paper sheet is exposed to the surface.

Further, a reworked corrugated cardboard box and other corrugatedcardboard products may be used as the corrugated cardboard.

Furthermore, the strength of the corrugated cardboard is changed in adirection of a wave of the core. That is, the corrugated cardboard isapt to be folded in the direction parallel to the wave and has strengthin the direction perpendicular to the wave.

In this embodiment, the support portions, which can support the packingcontainer 30, are formed so that high strength is obtained insubstantially the same direction as the directions of the side surfaceportions (32, 33, 34, and 35), that is, the direction perpendicular tothe wave of the core comes into contact with a mounting surface.

In this embodiment, reference numeral 50 denotes the direction of thewave of the core.

Due to this structure, it may be possible both to reduce the thicknessof the packing container (TV packing container) 30 and to obtainstability in a state where a TV is contained in the packing container.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the packing container shownin FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a view showing the vicinity of the upper support portions (41a and 41 b) when seen in the direction of an arrow 40 of FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, for example, the side surface portion 34, the uppersurface portion 31 a, and the upper shoulder portion 42 a, which are apart of the packing container 30, are integrally formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the side surface portion 34and the upper surface portion 31 a are bent, so that the upper shoulderportion 42 a is formed at the portion where the side surface portion 34and the upper surface portion 31 a intersect with each other.

Furthermore, the upper support portion 41 a, which can support thepacking container 30, for example, in the vertical direction, isprovided at the upper shoulder portion 42 a or near the upper shoulderportion 42 a.

As described above, the direction perpendicular to the wave of the corefaces the upper side so that the strength of the upper support portion41 a is high in substantially the same direction as the direction of theside surface portion 34 (FIG. 4).

Moreover, likewise, for example, the side surface portion 32, the uppersurface portion 31 b, and the upper shoulder portion 42 b, which are apart of the packing container 30, are integrally formed.

For example, the side surface portion 32 and the upper surface portion31 b are bent, so that the upper shoulder portion 42 b is formed at theportion where the side surface portion 34 and the upper surface portion31 b intersect with each other.

Further, the upper support portion 41 b, which can support the packingcontainer 30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at theupper shoulder portion 42 b or near the upper shoulder portion 42 b.

The direction perpendicular to the wave of the core faces the upper sideso that the strength of the upper support portion 41 b is high insubstantially the same direction as the direction of the side surfaceportion 32 (see FIG. 4).

Furthermore, the upper support portions 41 a and 41 b are provided inthis way, so that the packing container becomes stable in the lateraldirection of an arrow 51. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent thepacking container from falling down.

Likewise, FIG. 5B is a view showing the vicinity of the lower supportportions (43 a and 43 b) when seen in the direction of an arrow 40 ofFIG. 4.

In this embodiment, likewise, for example, the side surface portion 34,the lower surface portion 36 a, and the lower shoulder portion 44 a,which are a part of the packing container 30, are integrally formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, for example, the side surface portion 34and the lower surface portion 36 a are bent, so that the lower shoulderportion 44 a is formed at the portion where the side surface portion 34and the lower surface portion 36 a intersect with each other.

Furthermore, the lower support portion 43 a, which can support thepacking container 30, for example, in the vertical direction, isprovided at the lower shoulder portion 44 a or near the lower shoulderportion 44 a.

As described above, the direction perpendicular to the wave of the corefaces the lower side so that the strength of the lower support portion43 a is high in substantially the same direction as the direction of theside surface portion 34 (FIG. 4).

Likewise, for example, the side surface portion 32, the lower surfaceportion 36 b, and the lower shoulder portion 44 b, which are a part ofthe packing container 30, are integrally formed.

For example, the side surface portion 32 and the lower surface portion36 b are bent, so that the lower shoulder portion 44 b is formed at theportion where the side surface portion 32 and the lower surface portion36 b intersect with each other.

Further, the lower support portion 43 b, which can support the packingcontainer 30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at thelower shoulder portion 44 b or near the lower shoulder portion 44 b.

The direction perpendicular to the wave of the core faces the lower sideso that the strength of the lower support portion 43 b is high insubstantially the same direction as the direction of the side surfaceportion 32 (FIG. 4).

Furthermore, the lower support portions 43 a and 43 b are provided inthis way, so that the packing container becomes stable in the lateraldirection of an arrow 52. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent thepacking container from falling down.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a part of the structure of the packingcontainer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6A shows an example of a packing material where the side surfaceportion 32, the upper surface portion 31 b, the upper shoulder portion42 b, the upper support portion 41 b, the lower surface portion 36 b,the lower shoulder portion 44 b, and the lower support portion 43 b,which are a part of the packing container 30, are formed.

Here, for example, the side surface portion 32, the upper surfaceportion 31 b, the upper shoulder portion 42 b, the upper support portion41 b, the lower surface portion 36 b, the lower shoulder portion 44 b,and the lower support portion 43 b are formed integrally with onepacking material.

Reference numeral 60 denotes the vicinity of, for example, the uppersupport portion 41 b. FIG. 6B shows an example of the structure of theupper support portion 41 b.

Here, the upper shoulder portion 42 b or a portion of the packingmaterial near the upper shoulder portion 42 b is cut as shown in FIG. 6Bby a press or the like, so that, for example, a slit is formed at theupper support portion 41 b.

Further, the lower shoulder portion 44 b or a portion of the packingmaterial near the lower shoulder portion 44 b is cut as shown in FIG. 6Bby a press or the like, so that, for example, a slit is formed at thelower support portion 43 b in the same manner.

Since slits are formed at the shoulder portions or near the shoulderportions in this way, it is easy to bend the packing material.

Since the portions where the slits are formed form the upper supportportions (41 a and 41 b) and the lower support portions (43 a and 43 b)and come into contact with the upper surface or the bottom surface ofthe packing container 30 in this embodiment, it may be possible to formflat surfaces. Accordingly, with this kind of configuration, it may bepossible to obtain an effect of preventing the packing container fromfalling down.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example where a part of the packingcontainer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is assembled.

A part of the structure of the packing container shown in FIG. 6 isassembled, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the side surface portion 32 and the upper surfaceportion 31 b are bent, and so that the upper shoulder portion 42 b isformed at the portion where the side surface portion 34 and the uppersurface portion 31 b intersect with each other.

The upper support portion 41 b, which can support the packing container30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at the uppershoulder portion 42 b or near the upper shoulder portion 42 b.

The direction perpendicular to the wave of the core faces the upper sideso that the strength of the upper support portion 41 b is high insubstantially the same direction as the direction of the side surfaceportion 32.

Further, likewise, the side surface portion 32 and the lower surfaceportion 36 b are bent, so that the lower shoulder portion 44 b is formedat the portion where the side surface portion 32 and the lower surfaceportion 36 b intersect with each other.

The lower support portion 43 b, which can support the packing container30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at the lowershoulder portion 44 b or near the lower shoulder portion 44 b.

The direction perpendicular to the wave of the “core” faces the lowerside so that the strength of the lower support portion 43 b is high insubstantially the same direction as the direction of the side surfaceportion 32.

It is supposed that the packing container 30 is mainly provided forphysical distribution in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a packing material that forms apart of the packing container according to the embodiment.

For example, in this embodiment, the packing container 30 is formed oftwo packing materials (corrugated cardboard sheets) shown in FIGS. 8Aand 8B.

Similar to a part of the structure of the packing container shown inFIG. 6, the side surface portion 32, the upper surface portion 31 b, theupper shoulder portion 42 b, upper support portions 41 b, the lowersurface portion 36 b, the lower shoulder portion 44 b, and lower supportportions 43 b are formed in the packing material in FIG. 8A.

Further, here, a side surface portion 35, a flap 37 b, and a flap 38 bare also formed integrally with the packing material as shown in FIG.8A.

Here, five upper support portions 41 b are formed at intervals of 90 mmat the upper shoulder portion 42 b or near the upper shoulder portion 42b.

Furthermore, six lower support portions 43 b are formed at intervals of90 mm at the lower shoulder portion 44 b or near the lower shoulderportion 44 b.

That is, these upper and lower support portions 41 b and 43 b arealternately formed as shown in FIG. 8A.

Likewise, the side surface portion 34, the upper surface portion 31 a,the upper shoulder portion 42 a, upper support portions 41 a, the lowersurface portion 36 a, the lower shoulder portion 44 a, and lower supportportions 43 a are formed in the packing material in FIG. 8B.

Moreover, a side surface portion 33, a flap 37 a, and a flap 38 a arealso formed integrally with the packing material as shown in FIG. 8B.

Here, five upper support portions 41 a are formed at intervals of 90 mmat the upper shoulder portion 42 a or near the upper shoulder portion 42a.

Further, six lower support portions 43 a are formed at intervals of 90mm at the lower shoulder portion 44 a or near the lower shoulder portion44 a.

These upper and lower support portions 41 a and 43 a are alsoalternately formed as shown in FIG. 8B.

As described above, the slitting of the upper support portions (41 a and41 b) and the lower support portions (43 a and 43 b) is performed at theupper and lower surfaces of the packing container 30. In this case,since the slitting positions are alternately positioned, the protrudingportions do not correspond to each other and it may be possible tosuperimpose a plurality of packing containers 30. As a result, it may bepossible to reduce physical distribution costs.

Moreover, here, the flap 37 b is formed to be longer than the uppershoulder portion 42 b by 6 mm. Likewise, the flap 38 b is also formed tobe longer than the upper shoulder portion 44 b by 6 mm.

Further, each of the upper support portions 41 b is formed to be higherthan the upper shoulder portion 42 b by a height of 3 mm. Likewise, eachof the lower support portions 43 b is formed to be higher than the uppershoulder portion 44 b by a height of 3 mm.

The flap 37 a is formed to be longer than the upper shoulder portion 42a by 3 mm. Likewise, the flap 38 a is also formed to be longer than theupper shoulder portion 44 a by 3 mm.

Furthermore, each of the upper support portions 41 a is formed to behigher than the upper shoulder portion 42 a by a height of 6 mm.Likewise, each of the lower support portions 43 a is formed to be higherthan the lower shoulder portion 44 a by a height of 6 mm.

According to this embodiment, the flaps 37 a, 37 b, 38 a, and 38 b areput into the packing container first when the packing container 30 is tobe assembled.

Subsequently, after the lower surface portion 36 a is put into thepacking container as shown in FIGS. 5A and 58, the upper surface portion31 b is put into the packing container. Accordingly, the lower surfaceportion on which an object to be packed (for example, electronic device(TV) 1) is placed is formed.

Moreover, after the upper surface portion 31 a is put into the packingcontainer as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the upper surface portion 31 b isput into the packing container. Accordingly, the upper surface portionon which an object to be packed (for example, electronic device (TV) 1)is placed is formed.

These lower surface portions are easily made flat by making the heightof each lower support portion 43 a different from the height (size) ofeach lower support portion 43 b, that is, for example, by making theheight of each lower support portion 43 a higher than the height of eachlower support portion 43 b. Accordingly, the packing container can bestabilized.

Further, likewise, the upper surface portions are easily made flat bymaking the height of each upper support portion 41 a different from theheight (size) of each upper support portion 41 b, that is, for example,by making the height of each upper support portion 41 a higher than theheight of each upper support portion 41 b. Accordingly, the packingcontainer can be stabilized.

That is, in this embodiment, for example, the upper surface portions 31a and 31 b are adapted to be superimposed.

Furthermore, in this case, fold lines of the upper shoulder portions 42a and 42 b are formed so as to be different from each other as shown in,for example, FIGS. 5A and 5B. According to this structure, it may bepossible to make the surface, where the upper surface portions 31 a and31 b are superimposed, flat.

If fold lines of the flaps 37 a and 37 b shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B arealso formed so as to be different from each other, it may be possible tomake the surface, where the flaps 37 a and 37 b are superimposed, flat.

This structure may be applied to not only lower surface portions 36 aand 36 b but also the flaps 38 a and 38 b.

According to this structure, it may be possible to easily work thepacking container 30. Further, it may be possible to effectively use thepacking material. For this reason, it may be possible to reduce thequantity of packing materials such as a corrugated cardboard sheet to beused. Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce the weight of thepacking container 30, cost of the amount of materials, and theenvironmental burden. Moreover, it may be possible to reduce storagespace.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a packing container that isassembled from a part of the packing material shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

As shown in FIG. 9, the packing container 30 is assembled from the twopacking materials shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing an example where the packingcontainers are arranged together.

FIG. 10A shows an example where a plurality of packing containers 30 isarranged in a lateral direction.

As described above, a single packing container 30 is also stable forphysical distribution. However, if the plurality of packing containers30 is arranged in this way, the packing containers are more stable.

FIG. 10B shows the structure where a plurality of packing containers 30arranged in the lateral direction is superimposed on the plurality ofpacking containers 30 shown in FIG. 10A that is arranged in the lateraldirection.

According to this embodiment, when a plurality of other packingcontainers 30 arranged in the lateral direction is placed on a pluralityof packing containers 30 arranged in the lateral direction, a pluralityof lower support portions 43 b of other packing containers 30 isassembled between a plurality of upper support portions 41 b of acertain packing container 30. Accordingly, the packing containers arestable during physical distribution.

Meanwhile, a TV has been used as an example of the electronic device 1in the above description. However, this embodiment is not limitedthereto, and may be applied to packing containers for other electronicdevices, such as a display, a personal computer (PC), and a slate-typePC.

According to this structure, in the embodiment of the invention, it maybe possible both to reduce the thickness of the packing container of theelectronic device and to obtain stability during physical distribution.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the invention. Indeed, the novel methods and systems describedherein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods andsystems described herein may be made without departing from the sprit ofthe invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents areintended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within thescope and sprit of the invention.

1. A packing container in which an object is packed, the containercomprising: side surface portions disposed to surround the object; lowersurface portions on which the object is placed; and support portionsprovided on or near shoulder portions to support the packing container,wherein the shoulder portions are defined by portions where the sidesurface portions and the lower surface portions intersect with eachother.
 2. A packing container comprising: an electronic device; lowersurface portions on which the electronic device is placed; side surfaceportions disposed to surround the electronic device; and supportportions provided on or near shoulder portions to support the packingcontainer, wherein the shoulder portions are defined by portions wherethe side surface portions and the lower surface portions intersect witheach other.
 3. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein atleast a part of the packing container is formed of a corrugatedcardboard sheet.
 4. The packing container according to claim 1, whereinthe support portions are integrally formed with the side surfaceportions.
 5. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein atleast portions of the support portions and the side surface portions hashigh strength in substantially the same directions.
 6. The packingcontainer according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder portions comprise:a first shoulder portion; and a second shoulder portion opposite to thefirst should portion, and wherein the support portion comprise: a firstsupport portion provided on the first shoulder portion; and a secondsupport portion provided on the second shoulder portion.
 7. The packingcontainer according to claim 6, wherein a size of the first supportportion is different from that of the second support portion.
 8. Thepacking container according to claim 1, further comprising: uppersurface portions disposed opposite to the lower surface portions suchthat the object is located between the lower surface portions and theupper surface portions; and upper support portions provided on or nearupper shoulder portions to support the packing container, wherein theupper shoulder portions are defined by portions where the side surfaceportions and the upper surface portions intersect with each other. 9.The packing container according to claim 8, wherein the respectivesupport portions are provided to face spaces between the adjacent uppersupport portions, while the respective upper support portions areprovided to face spaces between the adjacent support portions.